Huge explosions were heard, and the sky was illuminated by flames and anti-aircraft fire.

The raids were part of US "shock and awe operation," which started Friday evening.

US forces fired about 320 missiles at Baghdad and surrounding areas during the Friday evening attacks.

Rear Admiral Matthew G. Moffit, commander of the Kitty Hawk battle group deployed in the Gulf, said "approximately 320 missiles have been fired at targets in and around Baghdad."

Despite mounting international opposition, the United States launched its war against Iraq at 0530 a.m. (0230 GMT) on Thursday, in a bid to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

The offensive, the first preemptive strike in the US history, kicked off about 90 minutes after the expiration of an ultimatum issued by US President George W. Bush for Saddam to leave the country or face war.

The United States has accused Iraq of hiding and secretly developing banned weapons as well as having linkage with the al-Qaeda terror network, and vowed to disarm Iraq by force if necessary. Iraq strongly denies the US allegation.

(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2003)